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Lily&Me · 12-23-2015, 09:33 AM

Yep....we have had tornadoes in December before, and there are warnings for parts of southern Illinois.

But, if all this rain were snow....

It is warm enough outstide, and humid enough with the rain, that I have the ceiling fan on in the living room.

Aretha doing Christmas carols on the stereo.....Doug loved Aretha Franklin, and we saw her in person once when my daughter was at EIU. You know, those parent weekends where musicians "from the old days" are brought in to appeal to the parent generation.

Doug always called Aretha his first love, and said he would have married her if she'd had him.

That was my man.

Maggie

Msmoto · 12-24-2015, 05:16 AM

Some folks are thinking of you, Maggie.....give Lily a hug...

Lily&Me · 12-24-2015, 06:15 AM

Thanks, Tommie.

Looking forward to seeing you at Alumalina....tho looking your location up on the maps, you are very far north for a stop on my way to Charleston.

It's all okay, really.....the holiday feels a bit bland and flat, for lack of a better description, but it could be worse, right?

Some things I usually do I am just skipping, and I am most looking forward to having my grands for a few days.

Life changes, and then we lean on memories past.

Christmas Eve day....some cooking to be done for tomorrow.

Maggie

kingfisher24 · 12-24-2015, 06:21 AM

to you and Lilly......from paradise....

Lily&Me · 12-24-2015, 06:23 AM

Thank you, and to you!

I am so looking forward to seeing you two next fall.

Maggie

Lily&Me · 12-24-2015, 06:56 AM

Have I ever mentioned how much I love my woodstove?

It warms and comforts my heart...every...single...time.

Very much a living thing.

Maggie

Air Cruiser · 12-24-2015, 08:24 AM

Merry Christmas from Ohio too! (we're having the same basic weather you are having -- strange to say the least!)

We're about ready -- our kids/grands will be coming for the day tomorrow. Our son, who is disabled will be coming today to stay through the weekend (or until he decides he's ready to return to his home/roommates). Today, well, today will be a struggle -- we're visiting my in-laws this afternoon (stressful!), please say a prayer for me.

Deb

Lily&Me · 12-24-2015, 09:12 AM

Thanks, Deb, and I will be thinking of you this afternoon.

My stressful one is Saturday....but then I will have the grands.

I miss having Doug to commiserate and decompress with after these toxic sibling things....now it is just a glass of wine.

Deep breaths, perhaps a bit of mood altering something

, will get me thru.

Maggie.

Photobum · 12-24-2015, 09:30 AM

Merry Christmas to all....

PS Love my cap!!!!

Lily&Me · 12-24-2015, 10:53 AM

And to you, Vince.

Maggie

ColoradoLady · 12-24-2015, 12:09 PM

Maggie,
your wood stove looks so warm and welcoming!

Please feel free to download stressors here Maggie. We are all here for you! You are in need....we are here. This is why your thread is so popular. I read here every morning . Bless you. Evelyn.

Hittenstiehl · 12-24-2015, 12:24 PM

Maggie we send you good wishes for the holidays.

We also send you good energy for tough people. Remember they are who they are and you can't change them.

You however, are MAGGIE and not anyone can be you. As more time passes you have weathered more storms, hiked steeper terrains, carried heavier loads, put more tools in your bag!

Some silly insecure relatives can open those closet doors, push those buttons and poke at you with sharp tongues but they will likely no longer get the responses they hope for.

Because you are Maggie, and you no longer have to react to their silliness.

Easier said than done but you've gone a long hard way lately and we'll sit and drink with you later.

Go Team Maggie!!!

Lily&Me · 12-24-2015, 12:52 PM

Thank you, ladies....you are so sweet.

I do believe that more than just Maggie has benefited from the sharing on this thread, which is a big part of why I keep doing just that.

It goes back out in spades....our strength is collective, and we all draw from it.

Although, selfish as it often feels, this thread is a wonderful and always-present repository for me...for so many life things, and I appreciate tremendously all of you who read, connect and share....on this thread and off, thru pm's, emails, and the sometimes silent encouragement and support which comes thru so strongly.

A great group here.

You know, since Doug has died I have been less willing to keep throwing emotional energy into people who have nothing to give back.

I have disengaged a bit, and stepped back emotionally somewhat from those I must deal with but who seem to revel in being unkind and poking with sharp sticks. Some family, and a few others. It has helped tremendously, to be more out of reach.

I am now the primary emotional caregiver of me, and some things I tolerated with his support I now insulate myself from with that emotional distance.

It may not be the healthiest thing, but it's what I've got to work with.

And, as we all know from ourselves, our friends, and those who share here.....that's often what most of us deal with. Very few near-perfect family systems out there....more often pulling more from us than they have to give back.

Who knows why, and does it really matter, I guess. Some people never seem to mature emotionally, nor to even really try. We each have to get thru it as best we can, put one foot ahead of another and try to find our way.

I am fortunate to have really great kids, and others in my world who give what some cannot, and that has made all the difference.

Okay, getting rather sentimental here.

Love you guys, and thank you.

Maggie

rmkrum · 12-24-2015, 01:16 PM

"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy is multiplied"

Sent from my pocket Internet using Airstream Forums

Lily&Me · 12-24-2015, 01:19 PM

Exactly.

Maggie

cwf · 12-24-2015, 09:18 PM

We have some "sausage bread" made with fresh loaf, Venison, pork and beef sausage briwned and simmered in Red Wine vinegar, little sugar and Texas Zinfadel wine... Placed on the rolled out loaf, covered with shredded sharp cheddar... And decorated with some Mexican pickles (ja-lop-Enos).. Roll up and pinch down center and bake till bread is done... Remove and let cool to eating temp, then slice to thumb width slices...

Keeps in fridge for a few days!!!! Nuke it 30 seconds for a quick pick me up....

Goes well with... Texas Zinfadel!!!! Merry Ckristmas!!!!

Photobum · 12-24-2015, 10:16 PM

Maggie,

That disengagement comes with age and experience, and makes one quiet. More to listen and to understand. More to separate and see more clearly...

It does not mean anything else, merely to seek understanding.

Age is a gift that God gives us.

V

Lily&Me · 12-25-2015, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwf

We have some "sausage bread" made with fresh loaf, Venison, pork and beef sausage briwned and simmered in Red Wine vinegar, little sugar and Texas Zinfadel wine... Placed on the rolled out loaf, covered with shredded sharp cheddar... And decorated with some Mexican pickles (ja-lop-Enos).. Roll up and pinch down center and bake till bread is done... Remove and let cool to eating temp, then slice to thumb width slices...

Keeps in fridge for a few days!!!! Nuke it 30 seconds for a quick pick me up....

Goes well with... Texas Zinfadel!!!! Merry Ckristmas!!!!

Yum, Channing!

Maggie

Lily&Me · 12-25-2015, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Photobum

Maggie,

That disengagement comes with age and experience, and makes one quiet. More to listen and to understand. More to separate and see more clearly...

It does not mean anything else, merely to seek understanding.

Age is a gift that God gives us.

V

Maggie

mimiandrews · 12-25-2015, 08:22 AM

Black i.e. Is doing fine as a trailer dog. More challenging is getting her to get along with the resident dogs and one other canine visitor. She has a lot to learn, having been only dog and yard dog most of her life. Grandkids woke us well before dawn and presents were opened with much excitement.

Merry Christmas to all!